Description
The imx_fec_do_tx function in hw/net/imx_fec.c in QEMU (aka Quick Emulator) does not properly limit the buffer descriptor count when transmitting packets, which allows local guest OS administrators to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and QEMU process crash) via vectors involving a buffer descriptor with a length of 0 and crafted values in bd.flags.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | qemu | 1:2.8+dfsg-3 | — |
| Debian 13 | qemu | 1:2.8+dfsg-3 | — |
| Debian 12 | qemu | 1:2.8+dfsg-3 | — |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | qemu | 1:2.5+dfsg-5ubuntu10.11 | USN-3261-1 |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | qemu | 2.0.0+dfsg-2ubuntu1.33 | USN-3261-1 |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES 12 SP2 | qemu | 2.6.2-31.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2879-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SLES for SAP 12 SP2 | qemu | 2.6.2-31.2 | SUSE-SU-2016:2879-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | qemu | 6.1.0-32.1 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11287-1 |
Advisories 3
- USN-3261-1 qemu vulnerabilities Ubuntu Security Notices (USN) · Feb 10, 2026
- SUSE-SU-2016:2879-1 Security update for qemu SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11287-1 qemu-6.1.0-32.1 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · May 7, 2025
References
- [oss-security] 20161003 CVE request Qemu: net: inifinte loop in imx_fec_do_tx() function mailing-list
- GLSA-201611-11 vendor-advisory
- openSUSE-SU-2016:3237 vendor-advisory
- [qemu-devel] 20160922 [PATCH v2] net: imx: limit buffer descriptor count mailing-list
- 93274 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20161003 Re: CVE request Qemu: net: inifinte loop in imx_fec_do_tx() function mailing-list